Knitting machine



KNIITING' MACHINE Filed June 8, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q 230W 226 v INVENTOR. Z4 15% Y WW ATTORNEYS. I

Nov. 30, 1937. M. c. MILLER KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 8, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 wmw wk w

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I INVENTO BY W ATTORNEYS Nov. 30, 1937. M. c. MILLER! KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 8, 1934 .FL'gJZ 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR i BY 4 Nov. 30, 1937. M Q WLLER 2,100,345

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 8, 1934 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.16

v INVENTOR 2 ATTORNEY;

M. C. MILLER KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 8 1934 Nov. 30, 1937.

'7' Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR '4 ii I BY i/M ATTGRNEYS f Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE 2,100,345 KNITTING MACHINE Max '0. Miller, Cumberland, R. I. Application June 8, 1934, Serial No. 729,553

43 Claims.

in aflat full-fashioned multiple section hosiery machine of the Cotton type which is provided with the usual seven yarn feedbars and yarn car- 1 I riers secured thereto for each section of the machine. The present disclosure further follows the usual practice in that three of the yarn carriers provided with each section are idle at the left hand end of the section, the other four being idled l5 atthe right hand end of the section.

In operating machines of this general description, when it is desired tochang'e yams the machine is stopped and the yarn and one or more yarn feeding bars, as the case may be, are disconnected and permitted to remain with the corresponding yarn carriers in their idled position, and the new yarn feed bars .are connected so that upon again starting the machine, a new yarn or yarns will be fed to the sinkers and needles of each sectioh. The yarn from the idled carriers remains connected to the selvage edge of the fabric, so that it is subsequently necessary for the operator, while the machine is running, and in certain instances, before again starting the'ma- 3U chine, to go the length of the machine cutting off the selvage connected yarns which would otherwise interfere with the normal operation of the machine.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide mechanism to enable the operator to cut the loose ends simultaneously on all the sections of themachine, and thus to effect a valuable saving in the time which would ordinarily be required for the operator to perform this operation 40 manually on each section, and in instances where it would be otherwise necessary to arrest the oper- I ation of the machine to materially increase theproductivity of the machine over any given period of time.

" It is another object of the present invention to provide in combination with a yarn cutting mechanism, add tional mechanism for clamping the severed end of the yarn between the carrier and the fabric, so that the yarn will be held in posi- 5 tion for the subsequent laying of yarn by the carrier when it is again'put in active operation.

It is a. further object of the present invention to provide yarn cutting and clamping devices to cooperate with the carriers idled at each end of each section of the machine, which may be operated simultaneously and in timed relation to the operation of the machine, so that only a simple operation is required, which may be performed either manually or automatically, upon changing carriers, to bring into operation said devices to 5 sever and clamp the ends of the idled yarns.

With these and other objects in'view, as may hereinafter appear, the several features of the invention consist in the devices, combinations and arrangement of'parts hereinafter described and claimed, which together with the advantages to be obtained thereby will be readily understood by one skilled in the art from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a flat full-fashioned machine embodying in a preferred form the several features of the present invention, only so much of the machine being shown as is thought necessary to illustrate the connection of the present invention therewith; Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view looking from the left end of the machine, illustrating particularly the mechanism for operating the cutter and clamp; Fig. 3 is" a front elevation of the control mechanism for operating the cutter and clamp illustrating substantially the parts shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of theclutch pin operating slide; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a detail view on an enlarged scale showing the movement of the revolution clutch into and out of operation; Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of the cutter and clamp mechanism with certain parts removed to show more clearly the parts that operate the yarn' 5 grabs, pushers, clamps and cutters; Fig. 9 is a detail side view of the cutter and clamp mechanism illustrating substantially the parts shown in Fig.

8; Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line-ll-ll of Fig 9; Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail plan view partly in section illustrating particularly the yarn grabs in their several diiferent operating positions; Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive, are detail views on an enlarged scale illustrating difierent positions of one of the yarn grabs of a cutting and clamping unit, Fig. 13 showing the grab in position after it has engaged with the yarn to be idled, Fig. 14 showing a subsequent position of the yarn grab positioning the yarn in the line of the yarn pushers, Fig. 15 showing the grab still engaged with the idled yarn and with the yarn pushers advanced to position the yarn under .the yarn clamp, andFig. 16 showing the p sition of the, partsafter the yarn has been cut tions of the machine.

by the advance of the hammer; Fig. 17 is a fragmentary end view illustrating substantially the parts shown in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a detail plan view of the yarn grabs and their operating mech anisms; Fig. 19 is an end view looking from the right of the mechanism shown in Fig. 118; Fig. 20 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 18; Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken on the line 2l-2l of Fig. 20; Fig. 22 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 18 to illustrate particularly the structure of the pivotal support for the yarn grabs; Fig. 23 is a fragmentary'sectional plan view taken on the line 23--23 of Fig. 20 illustrating particularly the latch used for locking the left hand grab out of action in the position shown in Fig. 13, so that the grab is permitted to take the position illustrated in Fig. 14; Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fig. 23 with the latch shown as locking the left hand grab in the position shown in Fig. 13; and Fig. 25 is a partial front view of the machine illustrating particularly the application of the cutter and clamping mechanism to each end of several sections.

In order to illustrate in a preferred form the several features of the present invention, a yarn cutting and clamping mechanism has been devised which is particularly adapted for use with and is herein illustrated as embodied in a flat full-fashioned multiple section hosiery machine of the Cotton type for cutting and clamping the ends of the idled yarns simultaneously on all the sec- The mechanisms for cutting and clamping the idled yarns are assembled in units which are supported for convenience on the usual table between each two sections of the machine and at the outer ends of the two end sections. These units each comprise two grab members which are arranged to engage respectively with yarns leading from the newly idled carrier or carriers to the fabric selvage edges at the adjacent ends of the abutting sections, cooperating devices for positioning and clamping the yarns engaged by the grabs, and hammers for cutting the clamped ends free from the fabric.

In accordance with certain features of the present invention, a control mechanism is provlded for simultaneously operating the several cutting and clamping units to clamp and cut any newly idled yarns first at one end and then at the other end of each section of the machine. This mechanism comprises essentially a control rod which extends the length of the machine, and has mounted thereon a control lever for each unit which is arranged for an'axial movement with the rodin either direction from a central or neutral position, and for rotational movements with the shaft to perform the required cutting and clamping operations. With the construction shown, axial movement of the rod and control levers to the left as viewed from the front of the I machine, will cause the grabs associated with the right hand ends of the several sections to advance and seize the newly idled yarns, and a subsequent rocking movement of the shaft and levers will operate the clamping and cutting mechanisms to clamp and cut the idled yarns. Similarly, the movement of the shaft to the right with the subsequent rocking of the shaft and levers supported thereon, will cause any idled yarns at the left hand ends of each section to be clamped and out free from the fabric. 1

With the present construction, mechanism is provided which is operated in timed relation to the operation of the machine to impart the required axial and-turning movements to t e 0011- of one revolution of the cam I and clamp the idled yarns at both ends of each section in two succeeding cycles of operation of the machine.

While with the construction illustrated, this trip motion is operated manually, it will be obvious that it can readily be controlled by mechanical timing mechanism such as the pattern chain in machines in which automatic means might be used to dictate and automatically change yarns. Inasmuch, however, as Cotton type machines are not regularly equipped with automatic yarn changers, a manual control only is provided which is readily accessible to the operator when changing yarns in the usual manner. The trip mechanism disclosed is so arranged that it is merely necessary for the operator, when he has stopped the machine and changed the yarn carriers, to move the control rod for the cutting and clamping mechanism to operating position, and thereafter to start the machine. The mechanism for controlling the operation of the cutting and clamping mechanisms then operates at the end shaft to. cut and clamp the idled yarns at the right hand end of each section, and at the end of the second revolution to cut and clamp the idled yarns at the left hand end of each section, finally returning the mechanism to inoperative position until it again becomes necessary to cut and clamp yarns.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates in a fragmentary form a flat fullfashioned machine of ordinary description, to which the present invention has been applied. The table is designated at 30, the back rail at 32, the top sinker bed at 34, and the bottom sinker bed at 36, these parts being rigidly secured to aseries of cross frames, one of which is generally indicated at 38. The main driving shaft of the machine is generally indicated at 40, and the usual knitting elements including the needles at 42, the sinkers at 44 and a needle bed for one section of the machine at 4 The cutter and clamp assembly located between each two sections of the machine, as best shown in Figs. 1, 2, 8, and 9,, comprises a supporting frame including a base plate 50 bolted to the table 30, an overhanging arm 52 secured to the plate, and a cutter and clamp support 54 secured to the arm 52. Mounted on the cutter and clamp support 54 is a crossslide 56 on which are carried two hooks or grabs 58 which are arranged as hereinafter more fully to be described upon movement of the cross slide 56 to move into engagement with and draw newly idled yarns into position for the operation of the cutting and-clamping devices. The movement of the slide is controlled by means of a lever 60 which is pivoted at 62 on the under side of the support 54, and is provided at its outer end with a slot 64 to engage with a pin 66 secured to the under side of the cross slide '56.v At its other end the lever 60 is fitted with a pin 68 which engages in a corresponding groove 10 in the cutter and clamp unit actuating lever 12 hereinafter more fully to be described. The cross slide 56 is held firmly in position in its guideway by meansof a front cover H and a rear cover I6 bolted to the support 54. There are also .formed at each end of the back cover 16, two ears 18 to which are secured pivot pins for clamping levers 82 which are held yieldingly against the upper side of the back cover 16 by means of springs 84. There is also secured to each of the ears I8 a yarn defiectof'in the form of a thin plate 86 provided at its forward end with an angled yarn engaging surface to engage with and guide the yarn engaged by the corresponding grab 58 into position for the subsequent clamping and cutting of the yarn.

In order that each yarn clamping and cutting unit may be operated to clamp and cut the idled yarns on the adjoining end of each adjacent section, the mechanism employed is duplicated to cause theimechanism to clamp and cut idled yarns on the right hand end of the adjacent section to the left of the cutting and clamping mechanism, and also to cut and clamp the idled yarns at the left hand end of the adjacent section to the right of the cutting and clamping mechanism. In view of structurallimitations of existing machinesto which it is proposed to apply the present yarn cutting and clamping unit,

it has been found necessary to mount the entire mechanism beyond and out of the path of the movement of the yarn carriers 90 which are shown in section in their idled position in Fig. 8, four being idled in the customary manner at the right hand end of each section, and three being idled at the left hand end of each section. With the mechanism herein illustrated, the grabs 58 above mentioned, are rendered operative by the movement of the cross slide 56 to move outwardly and grab any yarn which extends from a carrier in its idled position to the selvage edge of the fabric. The subsequent movement of the slide to its normal or centralized position, causes the yarn to be carried into the path of the clamping and cutting devices, and at the same time withdraws the grab 58 to its inoperative position out of the path 'of'the knitting mechanism and active feeding yarns.

The construction and mode of operation of the cross slide 56 and the grabs 58 to engage with and position the idled yarns, will be best understood in connectionwith Figs. 8 and 13 to 24 inclusive. The grabs 58 provided with each clamping and cutting unit comprise two similar oppositely positioned curved arms with large hooked ends provided with saw tooth edges to prevent escape of yarn therefrom, and are provided with sleeve hubs which fit one on the other on a pivot 92 centrally located on the cross slide 56. There are also secured respectively to the lower ends of the sleeve hubs of the grab for engaging the right hand idled yarns and the grab for engaging the left hand idled yarns of each section, the operating levers 94. and 96. The operating lever 94 is provided with a downwardly extending pin 98, and also has formed on the slide 56.

hub thereof a forwardly extending projection I which is connected by means of a tension spring I02 to a pin I04 mounted on the cross The actuating lever 96 is similarly provided with an upwardly extending operating pin I06, and has formed-on the hub thereof a forwardly extending projection I08 to which is secured a tension spring IIO connected at its other end to a pin H2 in the slide 56. In order to provide space for the locating and movement of the operating levers 94 and 96, an aperture 1 I4 is formed in the slide 56, as best shown in Figs. 18 and 19. This aperture is provided with a narrowed portion -I I6 to receive the projections I00 and I08, and with a slot |I8 ex-- tending lengthwise of the slide to receive the springs I02 and H0. For the rest position of the parts illustrated, for instance, in Fig. 18, the

the narrowed portion II6 of the aperture.

lines in Fig. 12.

grams 58 are held in their retracted inoperative position by the operation of the springs I02 and H0 which cause the projections. I00,and I08 to engage respectively with the opposite walls of To further insure that the grabs will be held in their retracted positions as the cross slide 56 returns to its middle position, a grab holdout plate Ifl is fastened to the top of the back cover I6 and engages with cammed portions I l 9 formed in the hubs of the grabs 58 to lock these parts against rotation in either direction.

For controlling the operation of the two grabs 58, there are also provided two latch levers I and I22 which are mounted one above the other on a pivot I24 in a recess I26 in the slide 56, and are arranged to engage respectively with notches I28 and I30 formed on the operating lever arms 94 and 96. Compression springs I32 and I34 mounted in recesses formed in the slide yarn as followsz-The movement of the slide to the left, causes the pin 98 formed on the operat-' ing lever 94, to come into engagement with a cam-shaped abutment I40 on the rear vertical wall of the slide guideway, as shown in Fig. 12, to swing the corresponding grab 58 about its pivot in a clockwise direction against the pressure of its spring I02 to engage with the idled yarn. At the same time the tail of the latch lever I20 will have passed from the high portion to a low portion of its cam I38 as illustrated in Figs. 23 and 24, to permit the movement of the latch under the pressure of its spring I32 into latching engagement with the notch I28. During the return movement of the slide 56 from its position to the extreme left, as shown in Fig. 12; the grab 58 is maintained in its advanced position until the tail of the latch I20 againv ridesonto the high portion of the cam I38 when the grab 58 and corresponding operating lever 94 are released and permitted to turn in a counterclockwise direction to the inoperative position illustrated in full Similarly, the movement of the cross slide 56 to the right from its normal inoperative position, will cause the pin I06 locked in its advanced position, andis held during a portion of the return movement of the slide 56 by the engagement of the latch I22 with the notch I30 on the operating lever 96 as the latch-is permitted to move into operating position under the pressure of its spring I.34 when 7 its tail rides oif the high portion of the cam I38",

best shown in Fig. 12. As the slide is returned to its normal operating position, the latch I22 is again disengaged from' the operating lever 96 to permit the'grab to return to the normal inopera-' tive position illustrated in full lines in Fig.12.

After the grab 58 has completed its outward and return movements to engage with. and draw the idled yarn into the path of the clamping and cutting mechanism as shown in Fig. 14, the leg of the bight'of yarn thus formed leading from the yarn carrier, is engaged by a pair of pushers and placed firmly under the clamp 82. As best shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a pair of yarn pushers I and I52 are provided to cooperate with each yarn grab. These pushers comprise thin stampings which are mounted to slide in slots formed in the support 50, and are provided at their forward ends with V-shaped ends to certainly engage with and guide the yarn between the clamping lever 82 and its cooperating clamping surface. The movement of the pushers I50 and I52 is controlled by means of a slide I54 which is mounted for movement in a guideway formed in the side of a rib I56 on the cutter and clamp support 54,.and has a lateral extension I58 to which the pusher members I50 and I52 are secured. As will readily be seen, there are provided with each. clamping and cutting unit, two identical sets of pushers I50 and I52 and two slides I54 to cooperate with the two grabs 58. A tension spring I60 connected between a pin I62 on the slide and a stationary point on the support, is provided with each slide I 54 to maintain the slide and pushers normally in the fully retracted position shown in Fig. 8.

There is also associated with each grab, a hammer or yarn severing blade I 66, one of these hammers being mounted at-each side of the unit on a stud I 68, and yieldingly pressed into engage-- ment with an anvil surface on the forward cover plate 14 by means of a torsion spring I10 coiled about the pivot I68, and secured at one end to the hammer I66.

Each hammer I66 is held in a raised position against the pressure of its spring I10 by means of a latch I14 pivoted at I16 on an upwardly extending ear I18 on the arm 52, and provided with a notched surface I80 arranged to engage with a corresponding projection I82 formed on the hub of the hammer I66. A compression spring I84 seated in a recess in the arm 52 tends to move the latch I14 outwardly to engage with and maintain the hammer in its raised position, as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10.

In order to raise the hammers I66 to the position shown in Fig. 9, there is provided with each hammer, a slide I86 which has mounted thereon a laterally extending arm I88- adapted to engage with a projection I 90 on the hammer I66. A tension spring I02 connected at one end to a pin I94 on the slide I86, and at its other end to the support 54, tends normally to hold the slide I86 and arm I88 in the retracted position illus-' trated in Figs. 8 and 9. It will readily be seen that with the hammer in its lowered or cutting position, the forward movement of the slide I86 will cause the arm I 88 to engage with the projection I90 to turn the hammer I66 in a clockwise direction about its pivot against the pressure of its spring I10 until the position illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 is reached, when the notched portion I80 of the latch I14 moves into locking position over the projection I 82. To insure that the 1 idled yarn will be brought into position by the retracting movement of the grab 58 to be cut by the hammer, a hook I96 is formed on the forward cover plate 14 to engage with the leg of the bight of. yarn leading from the grab to the selvage edge and to position this yarn certainly across the end of the surface above referred to. After the grab has been moved into position, and after the yarn has been securely positioned under the clamp 82, the latch I14 is tripped to permit the hammer I66 to fall and cut the yarn by the engagement of a cam surface I98 formed on the rear end of the pusher member I50 with adownwardly extending tip of the latch I14 as the pusher slide I54 and pushers I50 and I52 reach the limit of their advancing movement.

For actuating the clamping and cutting mechanisms above described, to cut and clamp idled yarns simultaneously upon all sections of the machine, there is provided with each cutting and clamping unit, an actutaing lever 12 which is rigidly secured to a control rod 200 which extends throughout the length of the machine, and is arranged for both rotational and axial movements to impart the required motions to the several actuating levers 12. An axial movement of the control shaft 200 and actuating levers 12 secured thereto, operates through the levers 60 provided with each unit, to move the cross slide 56 and grabs 58 to engage with and position the idled yarns adjacent both sides of the unit for subsequent cutting and clamping. Rocking movements are imparted to the shaft 200 and actuating. levers 12 in each of several axial positions of the shaft 200, first to advance the slide I86 to reset the hammer, and thereafter to advance the pusher slide I54 to cause the yarns to be clamped and out as above described. The actuating lever 12 is constructed and arranged, as will hereinafter be more fully described, to permit the operation first of one grab and its associated clamping and cutting mechanisms, and thereafter to operate the other grab 58 of each unit and its associated cutting and clamping mechanism, so that the mechanism may be operated first to cut and clamp newly idled yarns at one end of. each section of the machine, and upon the knitting of the next course, to cut and clamp the idled yarns at the other end of each section of the machine.

Each of the actuating levers 12 is forked at its upper end to provide three contact members designated respectively at 204, 206, and 208, which are arranged when rendered operative to engage with and advance the two pusher slides I54 and the slides I86 for swinging the hammers I66 upwardly to operative position. The several operating positions of the operating levers 12 with relation to the slides of the respective yarn clamping and cutting units, are clearly indicated in full line and in dotted line positions illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The actuating levers 12 are normally held in retracted position against the table 30 and out of contact with the operating ends of the several slides, by means of tension springs 2I0 stretched between the operating levers and fixed points on the table.

The actuating levers 12 associated with each cutting and clamping unit, are operated as follows to cause the idled yarns idled at the right hand end of the adjacent section to the left, to be engaged by the corresponding grab 58, clamped, and cut, and are thereafter operated to cause idled yarns at the left hand end of the adjacent section to the right to be similarly clamped and cut. Starting from the neutral intermediate position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 8, the actuating levers 12 are advanced by the rotational movement of the control shaft 200 so that the slides I86 are engaged and advanced by the contact members 206 and 208 to raise the hammers I 66 to operative position. The actuatinglevers 12 are then permitted to return to their original shaft 200 are now given an axial movement to the I right to the dotted line position marked A in Fig. 8, thus causing the cross slide 56 to be moved to the left by the operation of the lever 60, and advancing the corresponding grab 58 to engage the idled yarn or yarns as illustrated in Fig. 13. The control shaft 20% and actuating levers 12 are next given an axial movement in a reverse direction to the dotted line position marked B in Fig. 8 somewhat to the left of the normal stationary position of the parts, so that the grab 58 with a bight of yarn engaged therein is moved slightly beyond center to the right and out of the path of the cooperating yarn pushers E50 and I52. In this B position-of the actuating levers it, it will be noted that the central contact member 20% is in line with the left hand or cooperating pusher slide use while the contact members 2% and 208 are out of, line with and cannot engage the slides I56. A rotational movement is now imparted to the control shaft are, causing each of the actuating levers 72 to engage and advance the correspo-nding slide ltd and pushers E53 and B52 first to push the yarn into clamping position with relation to the clamping lever 32, and thereafter by the engagement of the cam use withthe latch lit to trip the hammer 65% and cut the yarn. The actuating levers are subsequently permitted to return to the full line position shown in Fig. 2 under the pressure of. their springs 2m, and are moved axially with the control shaft 298 to starting position to complete the cycle of operations.

During the knitting oi 'the next following course, the control shaft 200 and actuating levers T2 are caused to pass through an exactly similar but opposite series of movements to cut and clamp any idled yarn or yarns at the left hand end of the adjacent section to the right of each cutting and clamping unit. The shaft 200 is rocked, causing the contact members 20% and 268 on the actuating levers '72 to engage with and advance the slides 85?! to raise the hammers I66. The

- shaft 2% and levers i2 are then moved to their The shaft 200 and levers 12 are then moved in a reverse direction to the right slightly beyond central position, so that the active grabs 58 are moved to the left to position the bights of yarn for the subsequent clamping and severing operations. Finally the shaft' 200 is again rocked to advance the actuating levers l2, bringing the central'contact member 206 of each lever 12 into contact with the right hand pusher slide I54 of the corresponding unit to position and sever the idled yarns. I

In accordance with certain features. of the present invention, mechanism has been provided which acts automatically when thrown into operation to impart the required axial and rocking movements to the control shaft 200 and actuating levers 12, as above described, in timed relation to the operation of the machine, so that the yarn cutting and clamping units, and more particularly the grabs 58 will be operated in the same timed relationship .to the operation of the knitting elements-in successive courses to cut and clamp the idled yarns first at one end and then at the other end of each section of the machine. For im parting the required movements to the shaft 200 and levers 12, a separate operating unit is employed which is mounted at some point along the length of the shaft 200 beneath the table 30, and comprises a single revolution cam drum 21 2 and an auxiliary cam shaft 2M on which the drum is loosely supported and continuously driven at the rate of one revolution for each two of the main cam shaft. The auxiliary cam shaft 2M is rotatably supp jted in two bearing brackets 2l6, being held against endwise movement with relation thereto 32 the collars 2l8 secured to the shaft,

andis riven from the main cam shaft 40- of the machine by means of connections which include a sprocket chain 220 which passes over sprockets 222 and 22 i mounted respectively on the main cam shaft iii and on a countershaft 226, and a sprocket 228, which passes over a sprocket 230 on the countershaft 225 and over a sprocket 232 on the auxiliary cam shaft 2H3.

For imparting axial movements to the control shaft 208 and actuating levers 112, a cam groove indicated at 23% in Fig. 3 is provided in the periphery of the cam drum 2 l2 to engage a cam roll 236 on a follower 238which is loosely sleeved to .turn on the control shaft 200 being secured to move axially therewith by means of two collars 260 secured to the shaft 260. The follower 238 is maintained in a constant angular position in engagement with the, cam groove 23 3 by the engagement of a roller- 2% mounted on an upwardly extending arm of the follower with a guideway formed in a bracket 2% on the under side of the table 30.

Rocking or turning movements are imparted to the control shaft 200 and actuating levers #2 by ,extension or hub 25% which bears against the Waring support Zlt. With the construction illustrated, a friction brake is provided which acts to hold the drum 2l2 normally in a stationary position against rotation with the secondary cam shaft Md. The brake comprises a friction disk 2% which is loosely sleeved on the sleeve extension 254 and is held yieldingly against the end of the drum 2l2 by means of a heavy compression spring 258 which is coiled about the extension 255 between the friction disk 256 and the bearing support MB. A pin 260 rigidly secured .to the bearing support 2H5 engages a slot 262 in the friction disk 256 to hold the disk in a. fixed angular position.

With the construction herein disclosed there is provided a singlerevolution clutch mechanism which is arranged when tripped into operation to operatively connect the cam drum 2l2 toturn with the auxiliary cam shaft 2!! through one revolution to impart therequired axial and rocking movements to the control shaft 200 and actuating levers 12 to cut and clamp idled yarns successively at the right hand and left hand ends starting position shown in Fig. 3. There is mounted on the shaft 2 H a driving clutch memher in the form of a drum 286 which is keyed to turn with and to slide axially of the auxiliary cam shaft 214. The clutch. member.v 265 is provided clutch control pins 212 and 214 which are mounted to slide toward and away from the clutch member 266 in a bracket 216 mounted on the under side of the table 38 directly above the clutch member 266. Rack teeth are formed on each of the clutch control pins 212 and 214 to mesh with opposite sides of a pinion 218, so that movement of one of the clutch control pins into a depressed operating position will cause the other simultaneously to be raised, and vice versa. A compression spring 288 seated in a recess in the table 38 bears against the upper end of the pin 212 to hold this member normally in a depressed operative position corresponding to the open or disengaged position of the clutch member 266.

To cooperate with the clutch control pins 212 and 214 to move the clutch member 266 into and out of operative engagement with the cam drum 2|2, there are provided on the periphery of the clutch member 266, two cam ribs 282 and 284 which are arranged for operative engagement respectively with the pins 212 and 214 to lock the clutch member 266 either out of or in engagement with the drum 2l2 as the case may be. There is also provided on the periphery of the cam member 266 between the cam ribs 282 and 284, a V-sh-aped shift cam 286 which is adjustably secured by means of a clamping bolt 288 to permit an exact,

adjustment of the moment at which the clutch tooth 268 will be moved into and out of engagement with the corresponding recess 218 in the cam drum 212 as the clutch control pins -212 and 214 are alternatively dropped into operating position.

The positions of the clutch control pins 212 and 214. are shifted to engage the clutch and are then again shifted to return the clutch to inoperative position at the end of one revolution of the cam drum 2| 2 by means of a clutch pin operating slide 298 best shown in Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive, which is mounted in guideways formed in the bracket 216 to slide lengthwise of the cam shaft 2 l4, and is provided with a slot 292 through which the clutch control pins 212 and 214 are arranged to pass.

Two parallel cam surfaces 294 are formed on opposite walls of the slot 292 to engage with two small" pins 296 on the clutch control pin 212, so that a movement of the slide 298 to the left as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, causes the clutch pin 212 to be raised against the pressure of itsspring secured at 382 to the slide, with the high portion of a face cam 384 formed on the end of the cam drum 2l2. A bent wire spring 386, see Fig. 2, tends to maintain the latch 388 normally in an operative vertical position in contact with the cam When it is desired to trip the yarn cutting and clamping mechanism into operation, the latch 388 is moved to the dotted inclined position shown in Fig. 2 out of contact with the cam 384 to permit the movement of theslide 298 to the left as shown in Fig. 3, by means of a pin 388 which bears at one endagainst the latch 388, and at its other end extends into the apex of a V-shaped cam 3I8 formed on the usual control rod 312 for the machine, so that a movement of the control rod 3|2 in either direction from the normal position shown in Fig. 3, will serve to advance the pin 388 and trip the latch.

In the operation of the machine, if it be assumed that the machine has been stopped in the usual position for changing yarns, with the needles 42 in their raised position prior to the yarn sinking, as shown in Fig. 1, and that certain of the carriers at either or both ends of each section have been disconnected from their driving means in'the idled position shown in Fig. 8, and

that other carrier or carriers have been substi-- tuted therefor, the operator then shifts the control rod 3|2 either to the right or to the left to advance the pin 388 and trip the latch 388 out of engagement with the high portion of the cam 384. The slide 298 is now permitted to move to the left, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, to raise the clutch control pin 212 against the pressure of its spring 288, and at the same time depress the pin 214 against the upper surface of the rib 284. As the machine is now put in operation, the rotation of the auxiliary cam shaft 2M and clutch member 266 in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 7, will cause the control pin 214 to engage with the shift cam 286 to shift the clutch member 266 to the left and engage the tooth 268 with the corresponding notch 218 in the cam drum 2l2. During the subsequent rotation of the cam drum 2|.2, axial and rocking movements are imparted .to the control rod 288 and to the yarn cutting and clamping unit actuating levers 12, to cause these units to function as above described, during the knitting of the next course to clamp and cut any idled yarn or yarns at the right hand end of each section, and. during the following course to perform a similar operation for any idled yarn or yarns at the left hand end of each section of the machine. At the end of a complete revolution of the cam drum 212 which will correspond to two revolutions of the main cam shaft, as above pointed out, the clutch member 266 is automatically shifted to the right to throw the mechanism out of operation. As the cam drum 2H2 nears the completion of a single revolution, the

latch 388 which has been again permitted to drop into itsvertical position under the influence of its spring 386, comes into contact with a rise on the cam 384, so that the slide 298 is moved to the right against the pressure of its spring 298, thus permitting the clutch control pin 212 to be forceddownwardly by its spring 288 into contact with the periphery of the rib 282 while the clutch control pin 214 is simultaneously raised to inoperative position. The continued. rotation of the drive shaft 214-and clutch-member 266 now causes the control pin 212 to be engaged by the V-shaped shift cam 286, so that the clutch member 266 is shifted to the right to disengage the clutch tooth 268 from the notch 218 to arrest the further rotation of the cam drum 212 in its original starting position. The clutch control pin 212 now drops into engagement with the face of the rib'282 to lock the clutch member 266 in its inoperative position until the yarn cutting and clamping mechanism shall again be thrown into operation.

The mechanism above described for cutting an. '1

' ditions which are likely to arise in a multiple sectionfull-fashioned or other flat knitting machine'in which a multiplicity of yarn carriers are employed which maybe idled at both ends of each section of the machine. With the construction illustrated, for instance, newly idled yarns may be cut and clamped at either end of the machine without disturbing other yarns which may be held by the clamping devices. When one of the idled yarns is placed again in active operation, the end is, of course, held in the clamp until with the knitting of subsequent courses, the juncture of the yarn with the fabric has been moved far enough away from the needles to cause the end to be pulled out of the clamp. It will be noted also that the guard 86 serves to accurately position the yarn ends so that when a previously idled yarn carrier is again rendered operative, the yarn will be accurately fed into the path of the yarn engaging throat of the first sinker.

While the cutting and clamping mechanism herein shown and'described, is applied to a multi- -ple section cotton type full-fashioned machine, it is to be understood that it is applicable to any type of straight machine, and that certain features are applicable-to other types of knitting machines. I r

I claim:

- 1. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers each adapted for laying yarn along said needle series and for idling adjacent the same end thereof, a yarn severing device for severing yarn extending between the fabric and an idled carrier or carriers, mechanism operating in timed relation to the operation of the machine during the traverse of a selected active carrier to actuate said cutter to cut yarn extending between the fabric and said idled carrier or carriers, and means under the control of the operator for throwing said mechanism into operation to cut the idled yarn or yarns.

1 2. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed,

of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable for laying yarn along said needle series and for idling adjacent the end thereof, a yarn severing and clamping device acting to clamp the idled yarn extending between an idle carrier and the fabric and to sever said clamped yarn from the fabric, mechanism operating in timed relation to the operation of the machine to actuate said device to clamp and cut idled yarn, and control means for throwing said mechanism into operation.

3. In a fiat knitting machine. the combination with a series of needles movable as ,a unit and their cooperating kriitting elements including .yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed,

of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable I for laying yam' along said needle series and for idling adjacent thereto, and yarn severing and clamping means including means to clamp the yarn extending between an idled carrier and the fabric for subsequent feeding of the yarn by the carrier to'the sinkers, and means to sever the clamped yarn from the fabric.

4. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring slnkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable for laying yarn along said needle series and for idling adjacent thereto, yarn severing and clamping means including means to clamp the yarn extending between each idled carrier and the fabric for subsequent feeding of the yarn by the carrier to the sinkers, and means to sever the clamped yarn from the fabric, and mechanism for actuating the yarn cutting and clamping means in timed relation to the operation of the machine.

5. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles movable as a, unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable for laying yarn along said needle series and for idling adjacent one end thereof, yarn severing and clamping means located at the end of said needle series adjacent the idling position of said carriers, mechanism operating in timed relation to ed for laying yarn along each of said needle series,

yarn cutters associated with each of said sections, and means for simultaneously operating said cutters in timed relation to the traversing movement of a selected active carrier to cut yarns leading to the fabric from idled carriers of the several sections.

'7. In a multiple section flat knitting machine, the combination inv each section of a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, yarn carriers adapted for laying yarn along each of said needle series,

yarn severing and clamping means associated with each of said sections, and means for simultaneously operating each of said yarn severing and clamping means to clamp and cut yarn extending between the fabric and idled carriers of the several sections.

8. In a multiple section fiat knitting machine, the combination in each section of a'series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, yarn carriers adaptedfor laying yarn along each of said needle series and for idling adjacent thereto, yarn severing and clamping units associated with each of said sections including means to clamp a yarn extending between an idled carrier and the fabric associated therewith in position for subsequent laying of the yarn by the carrier, means to cut the yarn extending between the clamp and the fabric, and

means for simultaneously operating each of said yarn severing and clamping units.

9. In a multiple section flat knitting machine, the combination in each section of a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, yarn carriers adapted for laying yarn along each of said needle series having idling positions at'corresponding ends of each section, yarn severing and clamping means located adjacent said idling positions of each of said carriers to cut and clamp the yarn from said carriers in idling position, and means under the control of the operator for simultaneously operating said yarn severing and clamping means to clamp and cut yarns extending between the fabrics and idled carriers of the several sections.

10. In a multiple section flat knitting machine, the combination in each section of a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, yarn carriers adapted for laying yarn along each of said needle series, yarn severing and clamping units associated with each of said sections including means to clamp a yarn extending between an idled carrier and the fabric associated therewith, means to cut the yarn between the clamp and the fabric, mechanism for actuating said yarn cutting and clamping units in timed relation to the operation of the machine, and independently operable control means for throwing'said mechanism into operation to clamp and cut idled yarns of the several sections.

11. In a multiple section fiat knitting machine, the combination in each section of a. series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, yarn carriers adapted for laying yarn along each section of said needle series, separate units associated with each section for cutting and clamping idled yarns, and means including a control shaft for simultaneously controlling said units to cut and clamp idled yarns.

12. In a multiple section fiat knitting machine, the combination in each section of a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, yarn carriers adapted for laying yarn along each section of said needle series, separate units associated with each section for cutting and clamping idled yarns, means including a control shaft for simultaneously controlling said units tocut and clamp idled yarns, and mechanism acting when rendered operative in timed relation to the operation of the machine to cut and clamp idled yarns.

13. In a multiple section flat knitting machine, the combination in each section of a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, yarn carriers adapted for laying yarn along each section of said needle series, separate units associated with each section for cutting and clamping idled yarns, means including a control shaft for simultaneously actuating said units to cut and clamp the idled yarns, and driving connections including a, single revolution clutch for actuating said control shaft to cut and clamp the idled yarns.

14. In a multiple section flat knitting machine, the combination in each section of a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, yarn carriers adapted for laying yarn along each of said needle series and having idle positions at each end thereof; separate units located between each two sections and at the ends of the machinefor cutting and clamping idled yarns, and means including a control shaft and a connection therefrom to each of said units for actuating said units alternatively to cut' the idled yarns'simultaneously at the left hand or right hand end of each section.

15. In a multiple section fiat knitting machine, the combination in each section of a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, yarn carriers adapted for laying yarn along each of said needle series and having idle positions at each end thereof, separate units located etween each two sections and at the ends of the machine for cutting and clamping idled yarns, means including a control shaft and a connection therefrom to each of said units for actuating said units alternatively to cut the idled yarns simultaneously at the left hand or right hand end of each section, and connections acting when rendered operative in timed relation to the operation of the machine for actuating said control shaft to cut and clamp idled yarns simultaneously at one end and then at the other end of each section in following courses.

16. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable for laying yarn along the needle series and having idling positions adjacent one end thereof, and means for cutting and clamping the yarns between the fabric and selected carriers moved to inoperative position including means for cutting the yarn, and a clamp for clamping the severed yarn from each of said successively idled carrier or carriers for subsequent laying of the yarn by a selected carrier or carriers,- said clamp acting to add the newly idled and severed yarns to the group held by said clamp, and to permit the removal from the clamped group of yarn ends knitted into the fabric.

17. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively, operable for laying yarn along the needle series and having idling positions adjacent one end th ereof means for cutting and clamping the yarns between the fabric and selected carriers moved to inoperative position including a clamp for clamping yarns leading from successively idled carriers to the fabric for subsequent laying of the yarn by a selected carrier or carriers, said clamp acting to add the newly idled yarn to the group held by said clamp, means to sever the clamped yarn from the fabric, and mechanism acting in timed relation to the operation of the machine for actuating said yarn severing and clamping device.

18. In a fiat knitting machine, the combination with a series of knitting needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements in-' cluding yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable for laying yarn along the needle series and for idling adjacent thereto, a yarn severing and clamping mechanism including means to clamp yarn extending between an idled carrier and the fabric for subsequent feeding of the yarn by said carrier, said clamping means acting to position the additionally idled yarns with the clamped group, means to sever the clamped yarn from the fabric, and means for rendering said mechanism operative to clamp and cut idled yarns.

19. In a fiat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of a plurality of yarn carriers having idling positions adjacent one end thereof, and cutting and clamping units adjacent said idled carriers including a cutter, a clamp, and means for positioning added yarns in said clamp.

20. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of -of a yarn carrier adapted for laying yarn along said needle series and having an idling position adjacent one end thereof, a unit for cutting and clamping the idled yarn between said carrier and the fabric comprising a cutter, a yarn clamp, a

device for pushingthe yarn into clamping position in said clamp, and a yarn grab to engage with the yarn between the carrier and the fabric to position said yarn for the operation of said pushing device and cutter.

22. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a 'series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers having idling positions adjacent each end thereof, of a yarn severing and clamping unit located adjacent each end of the section arranged to cut and clamp yarns extending between the fabric and carrier or carriers standing idle adjacent the corresponding end of the section for subsequent feedir-g of the yarn by said carrier or carriers to the sinkers, connections acting when rendered operative in timed relation to the operation of the machine for operating said yarn severing and clamping devices successively during the knitting of two succeeding courses to cut and clamp the idle yarns first at one end and then at the other end of said section, and means for rendering said connections operative to clamp and cut the idled yarns.

23. Ina fiat knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers having idling positions adjacent each end thereof, of a yarn severing and clamping unit located at each end of the section arranged to cut and clamp yarns extending between the fabric and carrier orcarriers standing idle adjacent the corresponding end of the section, said clamping means being arranged to permit the addition or subtraction of selected yarns to the clamped group, and connections acting when rendered operative in timed relation to the operation of the machine for operating said yarn severing and clamping devices successively during the knitting of two succeeding courses to cut and clamp the idle yarns first at one end and then at the other end of said section.

24. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers having idling positions adjacent the end of the needle series, and means for cutting and clamping idled yarns between the fabric and an idled carrier or carriers comprising a yarn cutter, a yarn clamp, a yarn grab for engaging with and drawing the idled yarn into position for cutting and clamping, and means for actuating said grab, and thereafter for actuating said cutter and clamp to sever and clamp the idled yarn.

25. In a flat knitting machine, the comb tion with a knitting section comprising a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers associated therewith selectively operable for laying yarn along the needle series and for idling adjacent the end thereof, and a yarn severing and clamping unit comprising a yarn clamping device, a yarn severing device, a grab, means for actuating said grab to engi fe the idled yarn between an idled carrier and the fabric and to position the leg of the bight formed by the grab leading to the fabric in position for severing, and the leg of the bight leading from the carrier in position for engagement by said clamping device, and means for thereafter actuating the clamping and severing devices to clamp and sever the idled yarn.

26. In a fiat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of a plurality of yarn carriers associated therewith selectively operable for laying yarn along the needle series and for idling adjacent the end thereof, and a cutter and clamping unit comprising a yielding clamping member, a cutter, a pusher device for engaging properly positioned yarn in said clamp, a grab arranged to take a bight' of the yarn extending between the fabric and a carrier and to position the leg thereof leading from the carrier in the path of said pusher device, and to position the 'leg thereof leading from the carrier to the fabric for severing by said cutter to leave a substantial length of yarn passing through the clamp, means for actuating the grab, and thereafter for actuating said cutter and clamp to sever and clamp the idled yarn.

27. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of a plurality of yarn carriers associated therewith selectively operable for laying yarn along the needle series and for idling adjacent the end thereof, and a cutter and clamping unit comprising a yielding clamping member, a cutter, a pusher device for engaging properly positioned yarn in said clamp, a grab, a slide movable in a direction lengthwise of the needle series and having a pivotal mounting for said grab, cam means rendered operable by the movement of said slide for pivotally moving said grab to engage an idled yarn extending between the fabric and a carrier, and during the return movement of said slide to position the leg of the bight held by the grab extending from the carrier for engagement by said pusher and clamp, and to position the leg thereof leading from the fabric in the path of the knife, means rendered operative by the advance of the pusher to clamp yarn to trip the knife, and actuating connections including a member arranged for reciprocatory movements in one direction to advance and return said slide, and fully reciprocatory movements in another direction to advance and retract said pusher device.

' 28. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising .a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of a plurality of yarn carriers associated therewith selectively operable for laying yarn along the needle series and for idling adjacent the end thereof, and a cutter and clamping unit comprising a yielding clamping member, a cutter, a pusher device for engaging properly positioned yarn in said clamp. a slide movable in a direction lengthwise of the needle series and having a pivotal mounting for said grab. cam means rendered pusher and clamp, and to position the leg thereof mechanism therefor leading from the fabric in the path of the cutter, means rendered operative by the advance of the pusherto clamp yarn to trip the cutter, and actuating connections for reciprocating said slide, and thereafter for advancing and retracting the pusher member to clamp and sever the yarn.

29. In a fiat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, and a plurality of yarn carriers associated therewithselectively operable for laying yarn along the needle series and having idling positions adjacent the end thereof, of a yarn severing and clamping unit comprising a yarn clamping device, a yarn severing device, a yarn grab acting when rendered operative to engage with and positionan idled yarn or yarns for the operation of the yarn clamping and severing devices, and an actuating mechanism therefor comprising. an axially movable and rotatable shaft, and connections rendered operative by the axial movement of the shaft for actuating the grab and by a rotational movement of the shaft for actuating said clamping and severing devices.

30. In a fiat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, and a plurality of yarn carriers associated therewith selectively operable for laying yarn along the needle series and having idling positions adjacent the end thereof, of a yarn severing and clamping unit comprising a yarn severing device, a yarn clamping device, a yarn grab, an actuating comprising an axially movable and rotatable shaft, connections actuated by the axial movement of the shaft for actuating the grab, connections rendered operative by the rotational movement of the shaft for operating the yarn clamping and severing devices, and cam actuated means for imparting axial and rocking movements to the shaft to-actuate the grab, and thereafter to operate said clamping and severing devices to clamp and to sever the clamped yarn.

31. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, and a plurality of yarn carriers associated therewith selectively operable for-laying yarn along the needleseries and for-idling adjacent the'end thereof, of a yarn severing and clamping unit comprising a yarn severing device, a yarn clamping device, a yarn grab to engage and position an idled yarn for the operation of said devices, an actuating mechanism therefor comprising a control shaft, connections rendered operative by the axial movement of the shaft to actuate the grab, and by rocking movements of the shaft for actuating the yarn severing and clamping devices. to clamp and cut the idled ber continuouslydriven in 'machine, means for clutching the cams to the yarn, and devices for controlling the operation of v said control shaft comprising control shaft axial shifting and rocking cams, a driving memtimed relation to the driving member, and means rendered operative clamping unit mounted at each end of the section, each of said units comprising a clamping member comprising a yarn clamping device, a yarn severing device, a yarn grab for engaging and positioning an idled yarn for the operation of said devices, an actuating mechanism therefor comprising a control shaft, connections from said shaft associated with each of said units rendered operative by the axial movement of the shaft in one direction to actuate the grab associated with one of said units, and by movement axially in the other direction to operate the grab associated with the other of said units, and

by rocking movements of the shaft to operate the yarn clamping and severing devices associated with the active grab to clamp and cut the yarn held by said grab.

33. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of a yarn carrier adapted for laying yarn along the needle series and having an idling position adjacent one end thereof, and a yarn severing and clamping device comprisingmeans independently of the carrier for clamping an idled yarn leading from the idled carrier to the fabric at a point beyond the end of the needle series and beyond the idle position of the carrierfor subsequent laying of the yarn by the carrier, and means for severing the idled yam-between the clamp and the fabric.

34. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of. a yarn carrier adapted for laying yarn along the needle series and having an idling position adjacent one end thereof, and a yarn severing and clamping device comprising means independent of the carrier for clamping an idled yarn leading from the idled carrier to the fabricat a point beyond the end of the needle series and beyond the idled position of the carrier for subsequent laying of the yarn by the carrier, means for severing the idled yarn between the clamp and the fabric, and means for actuating the yarn severing and clamping device. f

35. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of a yarn carrier adapted ing an idling position adjacent one end thereof,

and a yarn severing and clamping device com-- prising means for clamping an idled yarn leading from the idled carrier to the fabric at a point beyond the end of the needle series and'beyond the idle position of the carrier for subsequent laying severing the idled yarn between the clamp and the fabric, and means for positioning the idled yarn for the operation of the yarn severing and clamping device. I

36. In a flat knitting machin the combinationwith a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a'yarn carrier adapted for laying yarn along the needle series and having an idle position adjacent one end thereof, and a yarn severing and clamping device comprising means for clamping an idled yarn leading from the idled carrier to the fabric at a point beyond the end of the needle series and beyond the idle position of the carrier for subsequent laying by the carrier, means for severing the idled yarn between the clamp and the fabric, and a yarn grab for positioning the idled yarn for the operation of the yarn severing and clamping device.

3'7. In a fiat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measurin sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers, selectively operable for laying yarn 'along the needle series and having idling positions adjacent one end thereof, a yam severing and clamping device adapted to sever and clamp idled yarn presented thereto, and a yarn grab acting when rendered operative to engage with and present to said yarn severing and clamping device yarn leading from an idled carrier to the fabric. a

38. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable for laying yarn along the needle series and having idling positions adjacent the end thereof, a yarn severing and clamping device acting when rendered operative to engage in the clamp and to sever yarn extending between an idled carrier and the fabric, and means for actuating said device during the operation of a selected carrier to lay yarn.

39. In a fiat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles movable as a unit .and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable for laying a yarn or yarns along the needle series and having idling positions adjacent the end thereof, a yarn severing and clamping device acting when rendered operative to engage in the clamp and to sever yarn extending between an idled carrier or carriers and the fabric, and cam means for actuating said device in timed relation to the operation of the machine to clamp and sever yarns from a previously idled carrier or carriers during the operation of a selected active carrier.

40. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable for laying yarn along the needle series and having idling positions adjacent the end thereof, a yarn severing and clamping device acting when rendered operative to engage in the clamp and to sever yarn extending between an idled carrier and the fabric, cam means for actuating said device in timed relation to the operation of the machine during the operation of a selected active carrier, and means under the control of the operator for rendering said cam means operative to sever and clamp idled yarn.

41. In a fiat knitting machine, the combination with a knitting section comprising a series of needles and their cooperating knitting elements, of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable for laying a yarn or yarns along the needle series and having idling positions adjacent the end thereof, a yarn severing and clamping device acting when rendered operative to engage in the clamp and to sever yarns extending between an idled carrier or carriers and the fabric, actuating connections including a cam member for operating said yarn severing and clamping device, and a single revolution clutch acting when rendered operative to drive said cam member in timed relation to the operation of the machine.

42. In a flat knitting machine, the combination with a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, of a plurality of yarn carriers selectively operable for laying yarn along said needle series and for idling adjacent thereto, yarn severing and clamping means including means to clamp the yarn extending between an idled carrier and the fabric for subsequent feeding of the yarn by the carrier to the sinkers, and means to sever the clamped yarn from the fabric, and control means for rendering said severing and clamping means operative to clamp and sever idled yarn.

43. In a multiple section flat knitting machine, the combination in each section of a series of needles movable as a unit and their cooperating knitting elements including yarn measuring sinkers to which the yarn is fed, yarn carriers adapted for laying yarn along each of said needle series, yarn severing and clamping means associated with each of said sections, a yarn grab associated with each of said sections to engage with and present a portion of yarn extending between the carrier and the fabric to said yarn severing and clamping means, and means for simultaneously operating each of said grabs and said yarn severing and clamping means to clamp and cut yarn extending between the fabric and idled carriers of the several sections.

MAX C. MILLER. 

